Electric Vehicle Report Introduction

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are revolutionizing the transportation industry by offering an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. As EVs become more mainstream, understanding the trends and challenges of EV adoption and charging infrastructure is crucial for policymakers, researchers, and EV enthusiasts alike. In this report, we present a comprehensive analysis of new EV sales in California by city and county(with a particular focus on Contra Costa County), featuring interactive graphs that show new EV sales data standardized by the number of cars in those respective cities and counties. We also provide detailed information on EV chargers in each city, including a map of public charger locations, and highlight the federal electric bus program, which is driving the transition to zero-emission buses. All of the data used in this report is sourced from publicly available datasets, ensuring transparency and accountability. Whether you are a policy maker looking to advance sustainable transportation policies, a researcher seeking to understand the latest trends in EV adoption, or an EV enthusiast wanting to stay informed about charging infrastructure, this report is an essential read. Join us on this journey as we explore the latest developments in the EV landscape and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

In addition to new EV sales and charging infrastructure data, this report also includes graphs on key factors related to the EV landscape. This includes the average cost of ownership, battery material sourcing, car fires, and well-to-wheel emissions. By providing a comprehensive analysis of these factors, the report offers a holistic view of the EV landscape in California and empowers readers to make informed decisions about the future of sustainable transportation.

Contra Costa County - City Electric Transportation Rankings

Rankings are the culmination of three factors that are further broken out below. The first is EV sales in each city standardized by the number of vehicles registered in each city. The second is number of Public EV charging stations in each city also Standardized by number of vehicles registered in each city. Bonus points were awarded to Brentwood for participating in the California Energy Commissions EV Bus program.

ZEV sales for each city Standardized by number of cars registered in the city

The presented graph displays a ranking of 2022 Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) car sales, standardized by the number of cars in each city. The data used for this graph was sourced from the California Energy Commission (CEC)

Charging Stations per car registered in each city

This graph ranks the cities of Contra Costa County on the number of Charging stations per car in their city. Data collected from the Alternate fuel database. Note only public charging stations were used in this analysis.

CEC School Bus Replacement Program

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has launched the School Bus Replacement Program, which aims to replace California’s oldest diesel buses with all-new battery electric buses and install supporting charging infrastructure. In addition to the School Bus Replacement Program, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) provides funding for electric school buses and supports the transition to a zero-emission school bus fleet. Data on those recipients has not been included in this report. If you know how/where to get that information please reach out.

Map of Public EV chargers in Contra Costa County

This is a map of EV charging stations in Contra Costa County colored Network. Hover over each marker to see the number of stations and click on each to see the Network Facility and city.

Electric vehicle (EV) charging is important because it enables the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system, reducing the carbon footprint and air pollution caused by traditional vehicles. The availability of a robust and reliable charging infrastructure is crucial to encourage the adoption of EVs and to provide drivers with the confidence to travel longer distances. Additionally, EV charging offers economic benefits by reducing fuel costs and providing new business opportunities in the energy sector. ## ZEV sales by Model

ZEV Encompasses Electric Vehicles, Hydrogen Vehicles and Plug in Hybrid Vehicles. The main report focuses on Just EVs because, Hydrogen and PHEV vehicles are less efficient than true electric vehicles. They have lower energy efficiency due to the support of an internal combustion engine in PHEVs or the inefficiency of producing and delivering hydrogen in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The infrastructure for charging electric vehicles is more developed than that for refueling hydrogen vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are more expensive to produce than BEVs and PHEVs tend to be more expensive than BEVs. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and PHEVs still produce emissions, while BEVs are considered to be more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

Common Counterpoint in EV Adoption

Average Cost of Ownership

Calculate your cost of Ownership https://atlaspolicy.com/fleet-procurement-analysis-tool/

Car Fires

Electric vehicles (EVs) have a lower risk of fires than internal combustion vehicles (ICVs) because they do not have a fuel system that can ignite. However, when an EV does catch fire, it can be more difficult to extinguish due to the high-voltage battery and the potential for reignition. ICVs are more likely to catch fire due to fuel leaks or electrical malfunctions, but these fires are typically easier to control and extinguish.

Ford and GM have both had recent recalls on their electric vehicles due to thermal runaway. However EVs remain far less likely to catch fire then their Internal Combustion counter parts. The data shown here is from the Bureau of Transportation crash report(2017).

California County Level Breakdown

2022 ZEV sales by County

California is a leader in Electric vehicle sales. There are may rebates and incentive for purchasing and EV. Use this calculator to see what you are currently eligible for: https://ev.pge.com/incentives/

Data Description and Citation

The data used in this analysis includes the following:

  • Alternative Fuel Station Locations: This dataset includes the locations of alternative fuel stations in the United States, including electric charging stations, compressed natural gas stations, and hydrogen fueling stations. This data was obtained from the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) and can be downloaded at https://afdc.energy.gov/data_download/.

  • Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Sales: This dataset includes annual sales data for new ZEVs, including battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles, in California. This data was obtained from the California Energy Commission (CEC) and can be downloaded at https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/energy-almanac/zero-emission-vehicle-and-infrastructure-statistics/new-zev-sales.

  • Vehicles in Each City: This dataset includes the number of vehicles in each city in California. The data was obtained from the American Community Survey 2022.

When using this data, please cite the following sources:

Additional Resources

Well to Wheel CO2 Emission from the DoE

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